Air Conditioner - Central

How It Works

When the summer heat takes over
your home, your central air conditioner should be working in tip-top shape. It
uses an indoor and outdoor coil - along with a set of fans - to cool your home
and remove heat. Copper tubes carry heat away from your home and the indoor
coil collects moisture to drain outside.

What Can Go Wrong?

Without proper maintenance, you may find
the temperature rising well above the thermostat setting. Your air
conditioner may work longer and harder, wasting energy for the same
effect.

Most often, you can avoid these
problems by replacing the air filter - once every two months during the
cooling season is ideal for an effective and energy-efficient unit. Your
brand new air filter allows frigid, moisture controlled air to recycle
between your home and air conditioner.

If
your home isn't cooling within five minutes of turning on your air
conditioner - and the air filters are clean - get a professional diagnosis. There
may be a problem with the refrigerant charge, compressor, condenser or
fan.

Environmental Impact

Air conditioners typically use between 18,000 and 60,000 British
Thermal Units per hour (BTUh). a smaller 5000 BTU air conditioner uses less
energy but is only suitable for single room cooling. Larger units can emit
huge amounts of CO2 over the cooling season,
so it's important to keep your air conditioner at its most efficient. Check
out our energy conservation tips to save money and protect the systems that
run your home with simple solutions from MyHomeWorks™.

Tips & Tricks

Maintenance Tips

Remove your indoor air
filter every two months for crisp, frigid cooling and maximum efficiency.

Clean the outdoor fan or
heat-removing unit at least twice a year during cooling season to avoid heat
build-up.

Loss Prevention Tips

Consider a professional tune up every couple
years to cut down on costs and mid-summer breakdowns.

Energy Conservation Tips

Consider upgrading to an
R-410a system: these ultra-efficient air conditioning systems can save as much
as 80 percent in energy costs compared to older units.

Locate your thermostat
in an area that is more frequently occupied to minimize over-cooling of
less-used spaces.

Opt for the fan-only
approach during cooler days and cover the windows to reduce heat for even more
cost savings.